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Jan 19, 20223 min read

Agile vs. Waterfall: Which Development Methodology is the Best?


Are you stuck between deciding whether to use Agile or Waterfall methodology for your new project? This blog post will compare and contrast the two methods to determine which best suits your needs.


It’s no secret that software development has become more complex than ever before. New technologies like artificial intelligence and machine learning are drastically changing how products – including apps – are built.

That’s why it can be challenging to choose the right approach for a project: does it need an agile approach with constant feedback loops, or would a waterfall process work better?

Here’s a rundown of what each of these methodologies includes to help you decide:


How Does Agile Work?


Agile development is a more efficient way to deliver software that leverages feedback, collaboration and knowledge sharing. It’s an approach where people work in short cycles called “sprints.”

Sprints are designed for building product increments rather than long term projects or stages like the Waterfall method does; they allow us to make changes quickly by incorporating what we learn throughout the process into our plans which helps avoid costly rework later down the road – something waterfall can’t do because it doesn’t account for change over time (a common problem).

Agile is a great way to build better products in less time because it leaves out unnecessary parts.


Is the Waterfall Methodology Still Necessary for Product Development?


Waterfall methodology is a linear, step-by-step approach that can be used in designing and developing software. In this design, the development team will work through each phase of the process sequentially for:

  • Requirements gathering

  • Analysis/designing

  • Coding (writing programs)

  • Testing or debugging

  • Implementation into production environments

When working with these types of methodologies, it’s always essential for teams to stay coordinated to anticipate what effect changing something here will have over there before making those adjustments.

Waterfall development models require strict knowledge about dependencies between all different parts of a system; this means even slight alterations can impact large sections – not just physically but financially as well!


Waterfall vs. Agile: What Makes Each Of Them Stand Out?


  • Agile is a model of development that allows you to make changes as you go along. It’s different from Waterfall, which has everything planned out beforehand.

  • Agile allows for quick changes as well as small releases, while Waterfall must follow a strict process.

  • Waterfall methodology is an older approach, but it’s still used and very effective in certain circumstances. Agile makes sure that projects are completed on time while avoiding the risk of scope creep.

  • In Agile, testers test along with the development team. In Waterfall, they do not test until after the product is completed.

  • Agile is a way of developing software where you can change requirements during the development process itself. In Waterfall, you have to finish one phase before moving on to another one.

Make The Right Choice For Your Project Management


Cultures change and evolve over time, but one thing that never does is the way we work. The big question for today’s workforce: Agile or Waterfall?

Clients need to know they are getting more value out of their investment, and Agile is all about delivering what you promised. More work done in less time means more cost savings for the business, more revenue for the company and higher customer satisfaction scores.

Agile is also more accommodating to change requests and allows clients to become involved in the process to help create a better end product.

One drawback to the Agile method is that it requires more overhead in terms of documentation and planning. It involves a lot of feedback loops and constant work with clients, which creates more effort on the part of program managers and developers.

With Waterfall, you’re getting what was promised at the beginning and there’s no need to update your product. You know what to expect in terms of delivery, so you can properly prepare for the project and set expectations with your clients ahead of time.

Another issue is that Waterfall does not allow for much flexibility when it comes to adding in new features or functionalities mid-stream, which is a problem in the world of business today.

Agile seems to be a better choice for the way we work now and is a great opportunity for companies to increase cost savings and revenue.

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